Kambwili angers KCM miners

MINERS have warned Chishimba Kambwili to stop using the liquidation process of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) to demean President Edgar Lungu and the government.

One of the miners, Aldridge Phiri, said in an interview yesterday Mr Kambwili should stop undermining the government which was fighting for the welfare of the miners.

“Mr Kambwili, you have benefited a lot in contracts in the mines. Leave us alone, don’t use our fate as your stepping stone,” Mr Phiri said.

He said it was important that the former Roan member of Parliament to be wise and support Government as it was fighting for all Zambians.

Mr Bwalya Kaputo said Mr Kambwili should know that since the liquidator took over KCM, the operations had come back on track.

Mr Kaputo said the smelter at the mining firm which had been suspended for some months, was now operational.

He said the current situation at the mining giant had brought hope to the miners and the residents of Chililabombwe and Chingola.

“We have petitioned the Minister of Mines to expedite the liquidation process and ensure that Vedanta goes for good. We have suffered at the hands of these investors and we don’t want them,” Mr Kaputo said.

He said he and other miners support Government’s decision to liquidate KCM.

“We call on the new investor to pay contractors their benefis so as to start on a fresh note to increase production.

“Luanshya has Chinese nationals, we are wondering why Mr Kambwili did not chase them but wants to play politics here. Leave us alone,” he said.

Mr Kaputo said when the miners were suffering Mr Kambwili always said the government should take over but had now changed his position.

“Please, mind your own business. We want an investor who will look after us and develop the mine,” he said.

Another miner, Jennipher Ng’ambi, urged President Lungu to ignore detractors as many of them did not even know what the miners had gone through in the hands of Vedanta Resources.